UDF allies voice disquiet over prolonged seat-sharing delays

Even as the Congress is aggressively engaged in preparing its list of candidates, the party’s allies in the United Democratic Front (UDF), including key partners such as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the P.J. Joseph-led Kerala Congress (KC), seem disillusioned by the inordinate delay in finalising seat-sharing and seat-swapping arrangements for the upcoming Assembly polls.

The protracted stalemate has now sparked concern not only among the rank-and-file but senior leaders as well of these parties over the coalition’s campaign footing. They fear that lack of a cohesive strategy is squandering crucial time, allowing the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) to gain a decisive head start in the elections.

While multiple rounds of discussions have taken place between the Congress and some allies, such as the IUML, sources said “serious and structured” negotiations were yet to begin with others.

Within the IUML, senior leaders acknowledge that talks, largely centred on seat swaps, have been held with the Congress and that certain understandings have emerged. “However, further consensus is needed. The delay is affecting grassroots-level preparations,” said a senior IUML functionary.

Nevertheless, IUML State general secretary P.M.A. Salam maintained a more diplomatic stance ensuring that the anxiety did not spill into public domain. “No front has yet completed its seat-sharing talks,” he said, attempting to downplay the concerns of a delay.

In 2021 Assembly polls, the IUML was allotted 27 seats but contested only 25, ceding two to Independents. This year, the party is prioritising winnability through a strategic exchange of constituencies with Congress, targeting seats where the alliance has struggled to win in the earlier elections.

The Kerala Congress (KC) has been more vocal in its criticism. “No formal engagement has been initiated even now,” said a State committee member close to party chairman, P.J. Joseph.

“The Congress is kite-flying the idea of taking over seats we contested last time. The Congress leadership is insisting that discussions must wait until the Puthuyuga Yatra, led by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, concludes,” he said.

The leader urged Congress to display political magnanimity just as the CPI(M) had already publicly committed to respecting its allies’ existing seats.

Despite the existing uneasiness among the allies, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph maintained that seat-sharing talks are progressing steadily for the Assembly polls. “No strict time -frame is in place and that the pact will be finalised before the official election announcement, ” he told The Hindu.

​As of now , the UDF has officially announced only one candidate — P.V. Anvar, the former Nilambur MLA, who contested the polls on the LDF platform in 2021 , but has now switched over to the UDF camp to contest from the Beypore constituency in Kozhikode.